Psalm 118 is the 118th psalm of the Book of Psalms. Verses 8-9 are notable as the centre verses of the Protestant Bible

Bible

The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...

 (e.g. King James Bible).

Judaism

• Is one of six psalms (113-118) of which Hallel
  Hallel
  Hallel is a Jewish prayer—a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118, which is used for praise and thanksgiving that is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays.-Holy days:...
  
   is composed. On all days when Hallel is recited, this psalm is recited in its entirety, with the final ten verses being recited twice each.
• Verse 1 is recited by some following Psalm 126
  Psalm 126
  Psalm 126 or Shir Hama'alot is a psalm and common piece of liturgy. It is one of the Songs of Ascents.-Text:A song of Ascents...
  
   preceding Birkat Hamazon
  Birkat Hamazon
  Birkat Hamazon or Birkath Hammazon, , known in English as the Grace After Meals, , is a set of Hebrew blessings that Jewish Law prescribes following a meal that includes bread or matzoh made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt...
  
  .
• Verse 5 is recited prior to the Shofar
  Shofar
  A shofar is a horn, traditionally that of a ram, used for Jewish religious purposes. Shofar-blowing is incorporated in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.Shofar come in a variety of sizes.- Bible and rabbinic literature :...
  
   blowing on Rosh Hashanah
  Rosh Hashanah
  Rosh Hashanah , , is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im which occur in the autumn...
  
  .
• Verses 5-9 are part of Tashlikh
  Tashlikh
  Tashlikh is a long-standing Jewish practice usually performed on the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, however it can be said up until Hoshana Rabbah...
  
  .
• Verse 25 is part of the long Tachanun
  Tachanun
  Tachanun or , also called nefillat apayim is part of Judaism's morning and afternoon services, after the recitation of the Amidah, the central part of the daily Jewish prayer services...
  
  recited on Mondays and Thursdays.

Christianity

This Psalm was quoted by Jesus and writers of the New Testament. In Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing,and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" Opposition and difficulties are seen in this Psalm but in the midst of it God will display His salvation. This verse is also referred to in Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:7.

This Psalm also contains the center verses of the Protestant Bible (verses 8-9). The placement is unique in other ways. The shortest Psalm is immediately before and invites the nations (the gentiles) to join in exalting God. The longest Psalm is immediately after which is an extended doxology of praise related to the law of Moses.

External Links

• Recording of the last two verses of the psalm as sung during Hallel